Latest Russia sanctions imposed five years after illegal Crimea annexation

18 March 2019

In a coordinated effort, Western governments delivered the latest round of sanctions against the Russia on the eve of the five-year anniversary of its organization of the illegal declaration of independence of the Crimean peninsula. In addition to addressing those responsible for the illegal annexation and backing Donbas warfare, this round of sanctions also targeted those involved in the Nov. 25 attack on Ukrainian navy ships by Russian border officials, which resulted in three ships being detained and two dozen sailors being imprisoned.

 

The EU Council imposed sanctions on eight Russian border officials involved in the Nov. 25 attack, as published in the EU Journal on March 14, and renewed sanctions related to the illegal annexation against 163 individuals and 44 entities. The U.S. Treasury Department targeted six Russian citizens and eight companies in its sanctions published on March 15. Meanwhile, the Canadian government imposed sanctions against 114 individuals and 15 companies for the illegal annexation, Donbas warfare and imprisonment of sailors. The sanctions were imposed in coordination with the EU and U.S., the press release said.

 

Zenon Zawada: A resolution to the Russian-Western conflict is nowhere in sight, though Western governments continue to demonstrate unity in upholding international law and the post-WW2 order. In the context of the presidential elections, Poroshenko’s re-election is the best outcome for Ukraine in recovering Crimea and the rule of law being restored. However, it’s now apparent that this conflict between Russia and the West is for the long term.